[d_phaneuf]

http://blogs.theprovince.com/2015/04...-expectations/

The Flames knew they had to trade Baertschi. He was on an expiring contract and the belief was he was not coming back, a notion that becomes pretty obvious in the first five minutes you talk to him.

What the Flames did not want to do is trade Baertschi to the Canucks.

The Canucks had been trying to get the deal done early in the day, offering a second rounder. The Flames then spent hours trying to get themselves a better offer.

The called the Canucks with three minutes to go before the deadline to make the deal.

One thing the Canucks had going for them, and why they were willing to offer the second rounder, is that they know Baertschi better than just about any team outside Calgary.